Premier Lai Ching-te on Tuesday convened the 20th interministerial meeting on accelerating investment in Taiwan, this time focusing on private participation in public infrastructure projects. He instructed the Ministry of Finance (MOF), National Development Council, and Public Construction Commission (PCC) to promote comprehensive regulations on private participation and government procurement in order to attract more private resources, boost creativity and efficiency, and enhance the quality of public services.
The MOF reported that amendments to the Enforcement Rules of Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects have been completed and were promulgated June 8. The ministry is now actively implementing a number of complementary measures, including recruitment of investors and early-stage planning assistance for local governments. Under the joint efforts of the public and private sectors, the projects attracted private investments of NT$65.7 billion (US$2.1 billion) during the first seven months of this year, or 2.38 times the amount from the same period last year.
The PCC reported that amendments to the Government Procurement Act are currently in review at the Legislature. Among the changes, the PCC created a new mechanism for procurement working and review task forces, revised conflict-of-interest recusal provisions, simplified conditions under which most advantageous tenders are used, and amended the mechanism for suspension of rights. These revisions will increase the efficiency and quality of government procurements, make businesses more willing to participate in government procurements, and create a more comprehensive procurement system.
Because of the high level of interest in these amendments from domestic and international companies and various business associations, the premier asked the PCC to communicate and coordinate closely with all Legislative caucuses to ensure the amendments are passed at an early date.